Roman Polanski to Attend Polish Extradition Hearing Next Week, Lawyer Says

Roman Polanski will attend a court hearing in Poland next week set up to consider a recent U.S. extradition request. The request is tied to Polanski pleading guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in 1977.

Reuters on Tuesday quoted the filmmaker’s lawyer as confirming Polanski’s attendance at the Polish court hearing and reported that it was set for Feb. 25.

“In line with the declaration that was made before, Mr. Roman Polanski will appear in the court,” Polanski’s lawyer said.

Read more Roman Polanski Withdraws From Locarno Festival Amid Protests

The filmmaker, who lives in France and has been preparing to make a film in Poland, previously said he would cooperate with the Polish authorities as they deal with the latest extradition request from the U.S. He added: “I trust the Polish judiciary system. I hope everything will be all right.”

If the court rules in favor of the extradition request, Poland’s justice minister would then decide whether to approve it.

The Oscar-winning director served more than a month in jail as part of a plea bargain when the case was first brought against him. Then he fled the U.S. out of concern that the judge could overrule the deal and put him in jail for years.

Read more Roman Polanski Prepping Next Feature in Poland, Wants Assurance He Won’t Be Extradited to U.S.

The 81-year-old, known for such films as Chinatown and The Pianist, late last year lost his latest bid to have a California court dismiss the case.

Email: Georg.Szalai@THR.com
Twitter: @georgszalai